9 Creative Ways to Prepare Oatmeal

Warm, creamy oatmeal is a fantastic go-to any day of the week; but there are plenty more ways to prepare this dish than simply adding hot water or milk to oats. Fruits, seeds, nuts, and a variety of milk substitutes can turn your morning comfort food into healthy, vitamin-packed meals that can even be taken on-the-go. The following ideas and recipes will help anyone step up their oatmeal game; you will even be able to use them to create cool summertime treats.

1. Overnight Oats

This is the way to gain flavor without the fuss. Part of the reason why overnight oats are so fantastic is that they are easy and quick to make, and ready to eat in the morning. Simply add water, milk, or your milk substitute to quick-cooking oats and place them in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours. The quantity of liquid added will vary per recipe, but the general rule of thumb suggests equal parts of each. Also, incorporate spices, sweeteners, and fruits for added flavor.

Healthy tip: dashes of spices, like cinnamon or vanilla, will curb the need for sweeteners.

2. Lay on the Layers

Oatmeal is satisfying; but eating the same bowl day in and out will turn boring after a while. Create dessert-like masterpieces by layering oatmeal with fresh fruits, seeds, nuts, and puddings or smoothies. Layering inside mason jars or tall dessert glasses will add to the aesthetic appeal — who doesn’t love beautiful presentations? Not only will your meal look magnificent, but the different layers and textures will be fun to eat.

3. Got Chia?

Cut back on the oats and add a tablespoon or two of chia seeds for the added nutrition. Though small, they provide a powerful punch of nutrients, from fiber to protein to omega 3s and bone-friendly calcium, as well as antioxidants. The trick with chia seeds is the time they’re left soaking; they become more gelatinous and filling the longer they are left in the liquid.

4. Oatmeal Smoothies

Sometimes, breakfast is best enjoyed out of a cup, and oats work great as additions to smoothies. Blend them with fresh fruits, milk, water, and/or yogurt and enjoy right away, or store the smoothie in the fridge so it’s ready to grab on your morning dash out the door.

Healthy tip: smoothie bowls are perfect for languid, late risers looking for a healthy pick-me-up while reading the morning paper. Prepare the smoothie a little thicker (with more oats, coconut milk, and/or yogurt) and cover them in fresh fruits, shredded coconut, dark chocolate bits, maple syrup, or any other favorite toppings.

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5. Swapping Out Water for Added Creaminess

Speaking of coconut milk and yogurt, adding one of these two ingredients will make your oats extra creamy and smooth. For best results, use Greek yogurt, pure coconut milk (not the milk substitute, which is normally watered down), or half an avocado. Keep in mind that pure coconut milk isn’t sweet, so adding some brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave, or other sweetener will be a nice complement.

6. Grate to Make It Great

Bananas have a fantastic texture for oatmeal and can be added at the beginning of preparation, but other fruits turn mushy when left in liquid too long. Apples can be a hit or miss, especially when sitting in oatmeal for too long; but they add a deliciously sweet flavor. Instead of adding apple chunks directly to your oats, grate them first. Add fresh apples on top just before eating, for the added crunch. You can also try carrots and coconut!

7. Chunky Monkey Oats

There aren’t many flavor combinations that blend as nicely as banana, chocolate, and peanut butter. Add these ingredients to your oats the next time you prepare them, whether on the stove top or blended and left in the refrigerator overnight. Then, sprinkle mini-sized dark chocolate morsels, crushed peanuts, and freshly chopped bananas on top before digging in.

8. Slow-Cooked Oats

Find your favorite oatmeal recipe and place all of the ingredients in the slow cooker at night. Leave the oats cooking on low until the morning and wake up to an aromatic house and a hot bowl for breakfast. Like anything that simmers for a long time, the oats will be infused with the flavors of the extra ingredients.

Healthy tip: recreate the classic recipe “peaches ‘n cream” by adding vanilla to the oats before cooking and fresh peaches on top after it’s done. Also, swap out the “cream” for vanilla-flavored yogurt and add a spoonful or two on top.

9. “Steel” Back Your Week

Prepare five to seven days’ worth of oatmeal in advance and store them in air-tight jars in the refrigerator. The Kitchn recommends cooking steel cut oats on the stovetop and turning the heat off as soon as the oats begin to bubble. Leave them covered overnight on the counter and place them in jars the next morning, where they will sit and continue getting more delicious until breakfast time.

About me

After years in the worlds of marine science and higher education, Nina Santos decided to throw caution to the wind and pursue her dream of life as a writer and world traveler. Originally from Massachusetts, Nina now lives in Portugal where she spends most of her time freelance writing, blogging and otherwise enjoying life.